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 Press ReleasesASHA Awarded Subcontract for Chinese National AIDS Hotline RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 9, 2005. The American Social Health Association (ASHA) has been awarded a subcontract to assist the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC) in New York City in designing the Chinese National AIDS Hotline. ASHA, a 91-year-old nonprofit organization that specializes in the field of sexually transmitted infections, operates several call centers dealing with sensitive health topics. As a subcontractor to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ASHA operated the CDC National AIDS Hotline in the United States for 18 years. “ASHA has extraordinary experience in providing telephone-based information services to people with questions about HIV infection, AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections – helping more than 20 million people over the last 25 years,” says James R. Allen, MD, MPH, ASHA president and CEO. “The risk of HIV infection continues to spread globally, and we are extremely pleased to be able to work closely with others to provide factual information and caring services to the people of China through this new program.” According to UNAIDS, China is experiencing one of the most rapidly expanding HIV epidemics in the world. Millions of Chinese have never heard of AIDS, and the majority of the population lack basic knowledge and skills for prevention. Most individuals who have HIV/AIDS lack access to basic services and support and are subject to discrimination, fear, and stigma. ADARC, the largest private HIV/AIDS research center in the world, has retained ASHA to provide technical assistance in the creation of the Chinese National AIDS Hotline. ASHA will work with ADARC and officials from China's National Institute for Health Education to assist in developing a project plan for the Chinese National AIDS Hotline, a training curriculum for handling calls and providing other services, key health messages as approved by China's CDC, and quality assurance tools. About the American Social Health Association ASHA is a 91-year-old nonprofit organization with offices in Washington, DC, and Research Triangle Park, NC. It is dedicated to improving the health of individuals, families, and communities, with a focus on sexually transmitted infections. ASHA provides important services to consumers and health care professionals through a variety of programs such as: national call centers, which provide counseling and referrals; advocacy efforts for STD research and programs; education for patients, providers, policymakers, and the media about STDs; and survey and evaluation research in the area of sexual health. For more information, please go to www.ashastd.org. About the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center ADARC was established in 1991 to focus on the basic science of AIDS and HIV in a research environment conducive to the highest level of scientific creativity. It is the largest private HIV/AIDS research center in the world and a leader in the search for a vaccine and a cure. The Center conducts basic research to increase understanding of the structure and function of HIV, and to define the mechanism by which it attacks the human body's immune system. ADARC's Director and CEO, Dr. David Ho, Principal Investigator for this project, was recognized as Time Magazine's Man of the Year in 1996 for his contributions to the field. In 2003, ADARC joined with relevant Chinese and international organizations to form the China AIDS Initiative (CAI). CAI draws attention to the serious threat HIV/AIDS poses to China and applies the Center's scientific and research expertise to help China strengthen its response to the epidemic. For more information please go to www.adarc.org. |
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